Civil service pensions crisis: Parliamentary Committees to hold joint evidence session
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) plan to come together to scrutinise problems with the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
Meeting details
Thousands of loyal and dedicated civil servants, and their families, are having difficulties drawing on and collecting their pensions. In response, the government has confirmed that interest-free “hardship loans” of up to £10,000 will be offered to the thousands of people experiencing financial hardship as a result of the failure.
The PAC and the PACAC have been scrutinising the crisis since reports emerged of problems. The PAC warned in October 2025 of a clear risk that Capita would not be ready to take over administration of the scheme. Following reports of disruptions with the scheme PAC held two evidence sessions (here and here) with Capita to explore their response to getting the scheme back to working order for its members, while PACAC held a session with the Cabinet Office on challenges in the scheme.
The Committees have now joined to invite the Minister for the Cabinet Office, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, to give evidence as they further investigate the scheme’s administration. Likely topics will include the Government’s termination of Capita’s Royal Mail contract, what Capita and the government are doing to deliver the scheme back to acceptable service levels, and the overall future of the scheme.